OCR Text |
Show PRODUCERS AG MARKET NEWS BETTERS TO EDITOR I hope this is the correct address to voice my concerns PERSPECTIVE Receipts: 1,522; Last Week to. Recently there have been several articles in the local : 766. Last Year: 986. Feed- Garfield County Insider that I feel bear further discussion er Steers: mixed wts under and a different viewpoint. 450 lbs 4.00-5.00 lower; First everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is a free country, so far. Second - I am a current Federal employee 450-600 lbs and 650-750 and the views I express are my own. They do not reflect lbs 4.00-5.00 higher; other the opinion of whom I work for or the management of that wts steady. Feeder Heifers: establishment. The views and opinion are mine, developed mixed wts under 600 lbs over several decades of living in and visiting this area. All 4.00-5.00 higher; 600 lb wts of the respondents have made statements, facts and opin2.00-3.00 higher; over 700 ions; or rather have had different views of Facts (?). lbs firm. Holstein Steers: Fact 1 Coal — the mining, transporting, burning and disposal of waste cause hazards to the environment. 1.00-2.00 higher. SlaughFact 2 Additional traffic will and does cause impacts to ter Cows: 2.00-3.00 higher. the infrastructure of Highway 89 from point of entry of Slaughter Bulls: 1.00-2.00 the Coal trucks to point of departure. It will also cause imhighedr. pact on whatever road they drive on. As does the countless Feeder Steers: Medium and buses, RV's and other vehicles that travel that same stretch Large Frame 2: 200-250 of highway. Statement 20 to 40 concerned citizens attended the lbs scarce; 250-300 lbsc meetings discussing the impact of the proposed use of the 116.00-120.00;300-350 Alton coal. lbs 114.00-120.00; 350- Fact 3 This does not represent anywhere near the ma400 lbs 109.00-114.00; jority of the citizens from beginning to end point where 400-450 lbs 105.50-112.00; this proposed route will travel, as alluded to in a previous 450-500 lbs 100.00-111.00, article, that the majority supported a ban on the operation. pkg 114.00; 500-550 lbs Fact 4 — I did not attend of the meetings either, but I am still open to how this can benefit our area, so I guess that 98.00-110.00, pkg 113.50; puts me in the minority. 550-600 lbs 91.00-104.50; Fact 5 For a number of years there have been two Gravel 600-650 lbs 87.00-95.50; Pit Operations operating between Hatch and Panguitch. 650-700 lbs 84.00-93.00; Additional trucks adding additional wear and tear on High700-750 lbs 80.00-89.00; way 89 from those pits to where ever they deliver. Not 750-800 lbs 81.00-85.75; consistently operating but there non the less. 800-850 lbs 78.00-82.50; Opinion If you [collectively or individually] are worried about our environment and the "look" of an "open pit 850-900 lbs scarce; 900mining operation" then how did these two operations come 950 lbs 71.50-78.00; 950- into being? The dust from either of these has obscured the 1000 lbs scarce. highway at different times while in operation and they are Holsteins Steers: Large in your "backyard". A third pit has been proposed out in Frame 3 Baby Bull Calves: the vicinity of the Losee Canyon Road just southeast of scarce; 200-300 lbs scarce; Panguitch. Again these are not full time operations and not 300-500 lbs 41.00-58.00; year round but I ask 'what is the difference?' The same Scarring is occurring as the gravel is harvested and re500-700 lbs 53.50-56.50; moved and they right off the highway! 700-900 lbs 52.25-56.75; As stated by Mr. Bruce McMahon, Coal mining is 900-1000 lbs 46.00-53.50. destructive to the landscape and the atmosphere. No disFeeder Heifers: Medium agreement there. So again - isn't the "mining" of Gravel? and Large Frame 1-2: 200- What particulate matters are released into the atmosphere 250 lbs scarce; 250-300 every time a crusher smashes large rocks into little ones? Are they toxic? Is there uranium in there, other heavy metlbs 97.00-99.00; 300-350 als? Because this is a lesser evil we allow it, again, in my lbs 87.00-97.00; 350-400 opinion because it helps the economy. Over 30 years ago lbs 90.00-101.50; 400-450 this area for miles around saw a wonderful economy based lbs 88.50-97.00; 450-500 on timber.. Now where is it? We have nearly two million lbs 88.50-97.00; 500-550 visitors each year come to our area. For what? To recreate, lbs 86.00-95.25; 550-600 view beautiful scenery, travel on back roads on their ATV's lbs 84.00-92.50; 600-650 - oh wait we are banning them as well. We are locking up our country more and more because we don't want to damlbs 80.50-87.00; 650-700 age it; So that millions of people will come to see what? In lbs 77.00-83.25; 700-750 the last twenty years how many of our children have stayed lbs 79.00-81.50; 750-800 to work in our county, in our area? What do we have to oflbs 77.00-81.75; 800-1000 fer our children that will keep them in this pristine lovely lbs scarce. Heiferettes: country? I grew up in this area and left by choice to explore, the 37.50-59.50. Stock Cows: Medium only way that I could return was to find one of the few jobs available at the time, which is year round and pays a decent and Large Frame 1: Few wage. I am one of the lucky ones. Let us see what this next Older Bred Cows: 475.00- year's census shows. It may take time but I will dare to bet 760.00/hd. that the median age of full time employees in this area is Slaughter Cows: Bon- High! ! And that the number of retirees is higher. The youth ing 80-85% Lean: 38.25- are leaving because if there isn't a family farm/business/ 47.25; Breaking 75-80% operation of some sort there just are not the numbers of jobs that will accommodate them. So what do we sacrifice Lean: 40.75-45.50; Comfor? For our children and grandchildren? Or for the milmercial: scarce; Cutter 85- lions of visitors that only recreate. If not coal, what indus90% Lean: 31.75-39.25. try do you [collectively or individually] propose that will Slaughter Bulls: Yield keep jobs, continuous in our area, year round and available Grade 1000-1500 lbs for those who are eventually going to move into our area as 48.00-53.25; 1500-2160 proposed by the Tea Parties. Are you willing to share your lbs 50.00-58.75; Yield property for the mass exodus that "could" be coming? That is another subject. Grade 2 1000-1500 lbs Suffice it to say, minority or not, I support the Alton coal pkg 44.75; 1500-1950 lbs project. But then again I am but one person. 48.25-49.25. Feeder Bulls: Nile R. Sawyer, Hatch, UT 825-1115 lbs 57.25-68.00. 435..735.4276 - — — — — — — Complete Auto Service & Repair SAFETY INSPECTIONS 475 East Center St. • Panguitch, Utah 435-676-8994 As tempting as it is to respond directly to Bruce McMahan's latest article or to Mack Oetting's soapbox column, instead allow me to be rather bold. Think, if you will, of those who oppose the Coal Hollow Mine. What do they have in common? Now think of those who support it. How would you describe them? It does no one any favors to pretend there is not a distinction of origin between the two groups. There may be some exceptions, but generally those who oppose the mine are people who have moved to Panguitch to retire while those who support the mine are natives to the area. When I admitted this to myself, I realized this entire argument is all about perspective. Such is not an uncommon problem. For example, young native Hawaiians have been know to say, "You flew here. We grew here" to nonnatives. Before I continue, allow me to make one thing very clear. Those who have joined our community are welcome additions. Just as variety is the spice of life, so too are those who have chosen to make Panguitch their home the spice of this community. Their efforts to make Panguitch a better place are apparent for all to see, and they are as much a part of the community as anyone who was born here. Noting this, perhaps it would be wise to consider the perspective of each group. It has been said that a young husband only wishes for his wife to remain as she is, while a young wife wishes to see her husband reach his potential. Might I suggest that those perspectives are analogous to the issue at hand. It is no small thing to move to a community. In order to choose a town, there must be something compelling, even special, about it. Those who have chosen to move to Panguitch often speak about it in such a way. Mack Oetting, for example, referred to it as "the finest city anywhere." Maybe it is the mountain surroundings, the relaxed lifestyle, the century-old architecture, the native brick, or just the clean air and water that makes Panguitch special. I suspect it is something more, which I'll describe later. Whatever it is, those who have moved here don't want to see something so special become tarnished. As one person put it, "Surely [Panguitch] doesn't want to sell its soul for a few jobs." This group wants to see Panguitch remain as it is. Those who have lived in Panguitch most of their lives would agree that it is special. They recognize that they will never have much money by staying here, but that is a conscious sacrifice. The last thing they want is to harm their town. However, they see a town that once was, as well as the town that is now. They remember the families that lived here when the Kaibab saw mill was open, and the jobs that paid a living wage. They, too, remember those who came talking about the environment. They were those who would later tie up lumber leases in court just long enough for the mill to close Justin Fischer and those jobs go away, push out the families and even though Kaibab never make Panguitch a quaint reclear-cut forests and always tirement community. I cerplanted two trees for every tainly hope that sentiment tree harvested. There are is false. Several years ago, some many here that wish nothing more for Panguitch than complained that bringing a for it to be a place to which jail to Panguitch would be their children can return the death knell for the town. and earn a decent living. They argued that crime This group wants to see would increase as those asPanguitch reach its poten- sociated with inmates followed them here. It didn't tial. Which group is right? I happen. Instead, two dozen families are able to stay believe they both are. Mark Knold, the chief here because of the jobs economist for the Utah the jail created, with their Department of Workforce children making up roughly Services, has referred to one fourth of the students in tourism based economies Panguitch. The same kind of arguas working on the "king's land." Wages associated ment is now being made with such jobs are low and against the coal mine. The impact on Panguitch employment is seasonal. Garfield County's second- will be increased truck trafto-last median wage is a fic. It should not be forgotten that logging trucks and product of this. As further evidence that oil trucks before them were this is the case, consider a common site here. The the declining enrollment in town was no less special our schools. There are now for it. When local officials fewer that 1000 students wrote letters in support of enrolled in the Garfield the coal mine, they were County School District. not selling out their conParents would love to bring stituents. Instead, they were dotheir kids here. They don't because they cannot afford ing what they could to try to bring jobs here in order to to. Earlier I referred to a keep the town alive. Some will surely still quality that is "something more" that makes Pan- have an issue with the coal guitch what it is. I submit mine. I issue them this chalthat the je ne sais quoi that lenge: bring your resources makes Panguitch special and experience to bear in is the vitality that comes helping to create 50 to 100 from young families. With- jobs in Panguitch that pay out providing better paying at least the national median jobs, families will leave, wage. and Panguitch will wither Such an act will build and die. It has been sug- a bridge over the chasm the gested that such is the aim coal mine issue has created of certain individuals: to in the community. COAL Errol, 435-616-282 9 tzarina embutah@gmail.com Here is some interesting HISTORY of Christmas Carols...enjoy! Word Origin The word carol or carole is a medieval word of French and Anglo-Norman origin, believed to mean a dance song or a circle dance accompanied by singing. Broadly defined, carols express religious joy and is often associated to the Christmas season. Carols are also used to describe late medieval English songs on various subjects with a verse and refrain. Often the verse and refrain (also called burden) alternates. History of Christmas Carols It is unclear when the first carol was written but it is believed that circa 1350 to 1550 is the golden age of English carols and most of the carols followed the verse-refrain pattern. During the 14th century carols became a popular religious song form. The theme often revolved around a saint, the Christ child or the Virgin Mary, at times blending two languages such as English and Latin. By the 15th century the carol was also considered as art music. During this time, elaborate arrangements were made and carols were considered an important contribution to English medieval music. The Fayrfax Manuscript, a court songbook featuring carols, was written by the end of the 15th century. The songs were written for 3 or 4 voices and themes were mostly on the Passion of Christ. By the 16th century though, the popularity of carols faltered, almost disappearing entirely if not for the revival that happened by the middle of the 18th century. Most of the carols we know today were written during this period. Our favorite Christmas Carol is: Oh! Holy Night! What's yours? May God Richly Bless You & Yours at this wonderous time of year! Come enjoy our chili c6cheese toast special! Call 435-676-2864 for Cabin Availability or visit rvfish.com n011itCh 1-71 atge Rid -412. is now open this winter with our full menu! outer Restaurant HOURS Friday: 3 - 8pm Saturday: 8 - 8pm Sunday: 9am - 6pm |